SSA is required to obtain an annual accounting report from payees; however, there
are certain payees who are exempt from the annual accounting requirement, see GN 00605.015. Additional exempted payees are those State mental institutions participating in
the Onsite Review Program. If the payee does not respond to, or will not cooperate
with efforts to obtain and approve an accounting report, a change of payee or direct
payment may be in the beneficiary's best interest.
The field office (FO) must evaluate the current payee for continued suitability, consider
if a beneficiary is capable of managing their own benefits, and document any suspected
misuse or fraud. You will need to consider all beneficiaries served by this payee.